Hamlet - Act 1 - Characters

Hamlet - Act 1 - Characters

1. Hamlet

   • Son to late, and nephew to present King
   • Appears to be isolated and in black, gloomy and sardonic , disillusioned at life
   • Dutiful and affectionate son who respected his father
   • Father's death was heartfelt, highly emotional and sensitive
   • Not afraid of ghost, he follows it bravely. He's courageous
   • His thoughts turn to death in his soliloquy, but the thoughts of religion prevents him

2. Claudius

   • King of Denmark
   • Murderer, killed his own brother
   • Smiling villain
   • Usurper
   • Adulterer
   • Acts like a rightful king and a striking courtly figure
   • Courteous, dignified
   • Man of words
   • Handles affairs of state with confidence
   • Speech is excessive, stilted and artificial

3. Ophelia

   • Daughter to Polonius
   • Dutiful
   • Young and innocent
   • Loves Hamlet

4. Horatio

   • Friend to Hamlet
   • Respectful
   • Hamlet trusts him

5. Ghost

   • Hamlet's father

6. Polonius

   • Lord Chamberlain
   • Loyal to the throne
   • Man of the world - Advice to Laertes is worldly-wise
   • Unsympathetic towards Ophelia - he cares about his postion in court

7. Laertes

   • Son to Polonius
   • Cares about his sister

8. Voltimad

   • Courtier

9. Cornelius

   • Courtier

10. Francisco

    • Soldier

11. Bernardo

    • Officer

12. Marcellus

    • Officer

13. Queen

    • Queen of Denmark, mother to Hamlet
    • Appears to be weak and shallow
    • Loved the King
    • Within a month married Claudius
    • Cold and unsympathetic to Hamlet mourning